Press Releases

Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Domestic and Sexual Violence issues) Jan Logie has spoken in support of White Ribbon’s campaign launch in Auckland today and calls on all men to do their part to end family violence and sexual violence in New Zealand.

“White Ribbon is a call to action for men, urging respectful relationships with women and inviting men to take the pledge to always stand up, speak out and act to prevent all forms of violence against women,” says Jan Logie.

The Green Party is celebrating the passing of the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill, ensuring we are act meaningfully to address climate change in Aotearoa.

“This is a significant day for our transformation away from fossil fuels, and towards a clean, green, low carbon future”, Green Co-leader James Shaw said today.

“This Bill is an essential first step in winding down offshore exploration for new sources of fossil fuels. We are in Government together to do this work, to create the change our people and our planet need to flourish.

The Green Party is calling on Parliament to take heed of the latest independent report calling for a harm reduction approach to drugs, while the synthetic cannabis crisis continues to grip the country.

A report released today, commissioned by the NZ Drug Foundation, has reinforced decades of research showing that punishment does not reduce drug use.

“All parties are in active discussion about updating our drug laws and this presents a historic opportunity to minimise the harm caused by drugs in our communities,” Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick said today.

Department of Conservation Biodiversity Ranger Scott Theobald, who was one of three men killed in a tragic helicopter crash on October 18, has been honoured at the Public Service Day Awards.

Mr Theobald was awarded the State Services Commissioner’s Commendation for Frontline Excellence this evening.

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage paid tribute to Scott Theobald and his pioneering work in developing the conservation dog programme which plays a pivotal role today in New Zealand’s predator control work.

Two projects aiming to plant 247,000 native trees and develop skills and employment, as part of the One Billion Trees programme, were announced today by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage.

The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will provide just over $2.2 million to plant 247,000 native trees in two areas - Punakaiki on the West Coast and Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere in Canterbury.

The Green Party welcomes funding for an additional 600 coordinators in schools to assist teachers with students who have additional needs.

“We recognise that schools are central to the success of our communities”, Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson said today.

“Families end up keeping their kids at home because it is too tough when there is not enough support, teachers are stretched beyond capacity, trying to teach curriculum whilst also juggling the diverse and complex needs of students.

More than a dozen participating groups and agencies including the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, Department of Conservation (DOC), Christchurch City Council, Environment Canterbury and Ngāi Tahu rūnanga today signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to remove pest animals from the 115,000 hectare peninsula by 2050.

A large predator free area featuring some of the South Island’s most majestic landscapes is the long-term vision of a multi-million-dollar predator control project announced by the Minister of Conservation, Eugenie Sage today.